/*
 * Copyright (C) 2007-2012 by XDEV Software, All Rights Reserved.
 *
 * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
 * License version 3.0 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
 *
 * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 * GNU General Public License for more details.
 *
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
 * License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307, USA.
 */
 
package xdev.lang;


import java.lang.annotation.*;


/**
 * A program element annotated &#64;NotNull should always have a value.
 * <ul>
 * <li>
 * Field: Should be initialized within the class constructors or initializers
 * and not become a <code>null</code> pointer during runtime.</li>
 * <li>
 * Method: Should never return <code>null</code></li>
 * <li>
 * Parameter: Should not be <code>null</code>, otherwise most probable a
 * {@link NullPointerException} is thrown.</li>
 * </ul>
 * 
 * @author XDEV Software Corp.
 * 
 */

@Target({ElementType.FIELD,ElementType.PARAMETER,ElementType.METHOD})
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
public @interface NotNull
{
}
